"Do Ut Des" marks the first solo exhibition in Venice of the young Italian-Egyptian artist Omar Hassan, organized by the Alberto Peruzzo Foundation in collaboration with ContiniArtUK.
In this exhibition, Hassan explores the relationship between sculpture and painting, as well as the interplay between classical and contemporary art. Set in the stunning setting of the Chiesetta della Misericordia, the exhibition features large-format works created specifically for the occasion, drawing inspiration from the soul of the location.
Classical sculptures, such as the Nike of Samothrace, are painted by Hassan using spray colors and placed in front of paintings in matching tones, immersing them and breaking the boundaries between the three-dimensional and two-dimensional.
Iconic works from the series that brought Omar Hassan international recognition, such as "Injections" and "Breaking Through", are reimagined for this exhibition, positioned in ancient niches amidst precious marble eroded by saltwater. The artist also presents two monumental pieces from his "Irripetibili" (Unrepeatables) series, which conceptually investigate the imperfect repetition of artistic gestures.
The exploration of the relationship between painting and sculpture extends into the intangible, with a contemporary reinterpretation of the church’s rose window. For a few minutes each day, the rose window paints a colored light onto an otherwise monochromatic Torso of the Belvedere, placed at the center of the nave.
Originally a place of religious worship, the Chiesetta transforms during the exhibition into a temple of both classical and contemporary art, merging the two worlds seamlessly.
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